by Ashley Allison

It is every little girl’s dream it receive the glimmering crown and satin sash as they give a million watt smile and accept the title of a beauty pageant.  the glamour of it all, the make up, the stunning fairy tale dress, displaying their talents on stage, lights illuminating their faces, this experience is expected to be the highlight of their lives.  The tradition of Miss Mandarin, though a way to showcase you talent and get all dolled up, is also a way to represent Mandarin High.  The girl who wows the judges not only with her poise and talent, but with the way she presents herself, the girl who glows with confidence, and the girl who has an authentic charisma that makes then stand above the rest.

When being judged in this pageant, good looks won’t necessarily mean the crown will be placed on your head.  The Title is given based on a conglomeration of specifications.  Equally scored are your talent showcase and personal interview, both weighted 30%.  Also equally evaluated are formal wear and participation, weighted 15%.  Finally is the prepared speech given, which counts 10% of your over all presentation.  Going into this pageant, it is good to have an optimistic attitude, but being in it to win it is no way act.  Winning isn’t everything.  There can only be one winner.  But does that mean that 16 others who aren’t in the spotlight are losers? Absolutely not.  From my perspective, this is going to be such an amazing experience.  I am looking forward to getting to know girls I don’t often associate with, and just being able to say that I was a part of Miss Mandarin 2009.  Win or lose, being in this pageant and having this experience will make me a winner in my eyes.

Another aspect of Miss Mandarin is that the shining winner, in addition to earning the Title, also receives a 500 dollar college scholarship, which encourages the continuation of education.  The money to create this scholarship usually is taken from the admission fee. Part of being able to participate in this event is being able to sell 300 dollars or more in adds for the program.  This is a time when you can call up long lost aunt Sally and Uncle Pete and ask them to wish you luck in exchange for cash.  As Ms. McVeigh says, “Who is going to tell you, ‘No, I will not with you luck?’” All of your friends and family get the chance to scrawl a blurb about you and how proud they are, and if you have my family they may also add some embarrassing fact.  the blessing in disguise is that even though no high school student enjoys selling and pitching, if you sell over 500 adds, you get exempt from purchasing a costume to dance in, and the luncheon you attend at Epping Forrest may also be free.

I decided to be a part of the Miss Mandarin experience to branch put of my usual routine.  I also wanted a way to get to know other people in my grade without having to join a sport, because sports and I don’t really mix well.  Getting out of my shell and being confident on stage will help me to feel better about my self, and it will also help me grow as a person.  I will be following the pageant, and talking about the experiences I have, and the folly that takes place.

Auditions

With knees shaking and cheeks blushing, the adventure of Miss Mandarin started off with showcasing our talents for the intimidating McVeigh’s.  Showcasing wouldn’t even be the right word.  Singing a few notes and laughing at how awful I was doing would be more accurate. 

Though told I was doing ok, my lack of confidence was my downfall.  I have a lot of ground to cover if I plan to do well in this pageant.  And although winning isn’t everything, I find myself striving for perfection, because I in no way, shape or form wan to look the fool.  Backstage, where 11-18 trembled, waiting patiently, though hoping time would stop, the mood was quite intense.

Giving advice and throwing luck into the air for the next girl up to catch on her way out, we were pretty much a mess.   But in the end, after all was said and done, and the initial shock had ceased, I realized that I just needed to chill out and take a deep breath, and just go with the flow.  If I perform to the best of my ability, then it will all be ok .

After a quick performance was given, the dancing sessions began.  As Ashley Smith and Kirsten Bowens began busting out moves, the dancers in the group began to follow along gracefully.  However, the others of us who aren’t so rhythmically talented looked skeptically at our teachers, and tried awkwardly to attempt to follow suit.  However, with multiple practices every week, we have got the opening dance down.  Although, when we first began to dance on the stage, we were a little discombobulated, and our V-formation resembled more closely a jumbled horse-shoe.  But after some re-arrangements we got ourselves together better.  Right now we are hard at work on our group dances.  I have decided I am dance-tarded.  Although I can understand the dances, it takes me quite a while to get it down. I am constantly asking to go over a part.  My group must think I am insane.  Ashley Smith told me that it was ok, because Ashley’s were born retarded.  But I have been practicing continually at home, and I know on the night of the pageant we will be prepared, and I will shine with the rest.

On February 21 the aspiring Miss Mandarin contestants put on our interview attire and strutted our stuff for the camera at our Mandarin High School Photo Shoot.  After squatting on a bright pink yoga mat to capture our head shots, the photographer Lindsay captured the heart of our school by using the elements we walk by everyday to inspire an amazing photo. We moved our annual group shot from the bell tower steps to the shade of the trees due to the blinding light of the sun.  We attempted to take a shot on the steps, but the squinting form those of us with sensitive eyes ruined the effect.  After the group was shot, we dashed to the drama room to make a metamorphosis into our cute fun outfits.  While we changed, the court and current Miss Mandarin, Felicity Price, were being photographed for this year’s program.  Finally ready, we trekked across the courtyard to wait for our turn to get our mini-photo shoot.   We all got an individual session, and in addition a few of us got to take friend poses with our best friends. In all it was a splendid experience, and so far is the highlight of the pageant as a whole.

The stress-consuming five minutes we had all been dreading has finally come to pass.  The Miss Mandarin Interviews took place on Monday in Epping Forrest in the DuPont Mansion.  It was a simply breath taking, and while we waited to meet the judges we got a view of the grounds and the water…it was beautiful. Being number 12, I had to wait a while.  While we waited we discussed everything fro our talents to prom, trying to calm the stampede of butterflies in our stomach. Eventually Momma McVeigh called my name, and I timidly stepped into the interview room. After I took a deep breath, the smiling faces of the judges melted my fears and I was at ease.  With a smile plastered to my face, I truthfully answered their questions, hoping I was making a good impression.  When it was all said and done and I walked out of the room, I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight off my shoulders. Afterwards, us girls waltzed into the garden and out by the dock, snapping photos left and right to capture this moment forever.  To end the day we sat down to lunch with the judges and had a delicious lunch and dessert, too.  It was definitely an amazing experience, and one that none of us will ever forget.